Precautionary circuit



Nov. 25', 1952 Filed June 24, 1949 s. L. EPPEL 2,619,178

PRECAUTIQNARY CIRCUIT 7 Sheet s-Sheet l MEL SmP

k a a a IIWE/VTOR K II R SLEPPEL ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1952 s. L. EPPEL2,619,178

FRECAUTIONARY CIRCUIT" Filed June 24, 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNl/E/VTOR5.4. EPPEL ALTORLVEY Nov. 25, 1952 s. L. EPPEL 2,619,178

PRECAUTIONARY CIRCUIT Filed June 24, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Nov.25, 1952 s. L EPPEL 2,619,178

- PRECAUTIONARY CIRCUIT Filed June 24, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 S. L. EPPELATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1952 s. EPPEL PRECAUTIONARY CIRCUIT 7 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed June 24, 1949 nvmsvvma S. L. E PPEL ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1952 s. L.EPPEL 2 7 PRECAUTIONARY CIRCUIT,

Filed June 24, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 'lM/E/VTOR 61L. 535a.

ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1952 s. L. EPPEL PRECAUTIONARY CIRCUIT 7 Sheets-Sheet'7 Filed June 24, 1949 ATTORNEY ?atented Nov. 2 5, 1952 PRECAUTIONARYCIRCUIT Simeon L. Eppel, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to Bell TelephoneLaboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication J une 24, 1949, Serial No. 101,081

2 Claims.

This invention relates to recording devices and particularly to controlmeans therefor.

The object of the invention is to provide safeguard means to prevent theformation of a record, used -in the process of automatic accounting,which might lead to errors, and particularly to insure that the recordsabout to be formed are in satisfactory structural form to properlyfunction in the next processing device in which they will be used.

In its preferred form, the present invention is employed in an automaticaccounting system in which charges made against customers for the use ofcertain facilitie are processed through a plurality of steps to thefinal preparation of customers bills. As a specific example of such anautomatic accounting system, a message accounting system for preparingbills to be presented to subscribers for rendered telephone service isdisclosed, at least in part. The process used is to record on a tapeitems of information pertaining to the individual calls made by thevarious subscribers over a given period. This tape is then placed in aprocessing device known a an assembler by which the items of informationfor each call are collected together so that the output of the assemblercontains a record of a large number of groups of items of information,each said group containing complete information for one message. Thisdevice consists essentially of a reader for reading off the various itemof information found on the input tape, and for then distributing suchitems of information to the various ones of ten recorders, orperforators, whereby a sorting on the decimal basis is carried out ofthe trunk numbers over which the various calls were established, and tenoutput tapes are formed. These ten output tapes are then joined to forma single tape to be used as the input tape for the next step in theprocess.

In the assembler the record is processed twice, first by the units digitof the trunk number and second by the tens digit of the trunk number.

After the separate items of informaiton for each message are thusassembled, the tape formed by physically or mechanically joining the tenoutput tapes is used as the input tape in a processing device known asthe computer. The computer responds to the quality or value of thevarious items of information and computes various new items ofinformation therefrom. By way of example, Where the items of informationinclude a disconnect time and an answer time, the computer willcalculate the elapsed time therefrom, and in some cases also translatesthis elapsed time into an equivalent number of message units. Thecomputer, like the assembler, also includes a reader and a plurality ofrecorders or perforators, so that in processing the input tapes from theassembler, ten output tapes are produced which must be physically joinedto form a new tape for use as the input tape of the next processingunit.

Said next processing unit is known as a sorter and its function is tosort the variou computed items of information in accordance with acustomer index number, in this case specifically the telephonesubscribers directory number. If the telephone subscribers directorynumber is a fourdigit number then four sorts are made, in each case thesingle input tape being converted into ten output tapes which arephysically joined to form a single input tape for the next processingstep.

Other processing units are also used for other steps in the completeaccounting system, but the point is that in each case a single inputtape is converted into a plurality of output tapes which are physicallyjoined to form a new single input tape for another processing unit.

In order to facilitate the physical union of the output tapes it isnecessary in the starting of each processing operation to insure that asufficient number of splic pattern codes are perforated in the leadingend of each output tape so that when the leading end of one output tapeis mechanically spliced to the trailing end of another, there will be acontinuous line of perforated code in the single tape thus formed whichwill allow the tape to pass through the reader of the next processingdevice.

The present invention consists of a means for insuring that a sufficientnumber of splice pattern codes have been perforated in the leading endof every one of the plurality of tapes produced by any one of theabove-mentioned and other processing devices. Each such device is,therefore, equipped first, with a means for starting the motors of thevarious devices, second, with a means for causing the tape ends to beperforated, and third, with a start means for starting the functionaloperation of the device. The invention includes means for preventing thestart key from becoming effective until after the motors have beenstarted and until the tape-ends have been perforated to a predeterminedminimal extent less than a complete perforating of the tape-ends in asplice code. It will be understood that if it were possible to start thefunctional operation of a device before the tape-ends are public servicecorporation and itscustomers, the

greatest care is exercised to avoid operations which might to erroneousor unjust charges. It is, therefore, important that when an originalcharge record is placed for a sorting operation in the assembler or inany one of the other processing devices that the start of operations beprevented until it is certain that thesplice pattern has been perforatedin each of the new tapes about to be produced, at least to apredetermined minimal extent.

The effective operation of the start means, therefore, is made dependentupon the successful and partially complete operation, in the instantdevice, of the perforators of each processing unit.

The disclosure in the application of R. 0. Rippere, Serial No, 101,086,filed June 24, 1949, now Patent No. 2,546,835, dated March 27, 1951, isof the circuits employed in the processing device known as the computer.there may be as many as nineteen perforators. Since the computer notonly classifiesthe various messages computed but also sorts them on adigital or some other basis, here, as in other devices of the accountingsystem, there is what is known as a spreading operation by which ismeant that a particular item of information destined to be placed oneach of the output tapes is caused to be sequentially perforated in eachof such tapes. The splice pattern code, for instance, is one which mustbe placed on each of the output tapes, and hence the spreading operationmust take place, it being automatic in that, once started, no otheroperation of the device can disturb or hinder its completion.

Specifically, in the Rippere device, mean is provided for insuring thata minimum number of splice patterns is perforated in each output tapeand that all splice-pattern holes are completely punched as a series ofsuch holes. Means'are, therefore, provided for making a minimum of threespreads of nine splice patterns in each tape, that is for instance, thefirst perforator in line will be operated to perforate the splicepattern code nine times in its tape and then the second perforator inline will be automatically operated in the same manner until all of theperforators to be used have automatically perforated this splice patternnine times on their respective tapes. This spreading operation will beautomatically carried through three times to insure a minimum oftwenty-seven splice pattern codes on each output tape-end. If the meansfor starting this automatic operation has been restored, then at thecompletion of the spreading operation the start key may becomeeffective, when operated thereafter, to start the functional operationof the device.

A feature of the present invention, therefore, is the combination of arecord scanner or reader, a plurality of devices for producing records,a manual means for starting an automatic operation for preparing each ofthe said plurality of dev es, a manual start means, and means under 01of said first manual means for rendering said manual start meanseffective.

In the. Rippere device The present invention is an improvement over thesystem disclosed in the above-identified patent. In this instance, thearrangements used in the sorter and in the assembler above described aredisclosed. In these cases the means for rendering the start keyeffective, while still depending on the completion of a spreadingoperation, are more=economical of time in that it is not necessary toawait the completion. of such a large number of perforating operations.Where all nineteen perforators are used in the computer and a minimum oftwenty-seven splice code (or any multiple'thereof) are perforated ineach tapeend, a simple calculation will show that at least five hundredand thirteen codes must be sequentially perforated before the computercan be started in its functional operation. In the present case this maybe cut down to a minimum of twenty. From a practical standpoint andaccording to standard practice, a fair length of tape-end is generallyperforatedv with splicepattern, but the means is nevertheless. providedwhereby this may be shortened.

Another feature of the present invention is the. temporary use of thestart circuit for the purpose of controlling the spread of the splicepattern.

The start key must be operated to put the devicein its functionaloperation, and when the spread of the splice pattern is complete, theoperation of the start key becomes effective. a series of start relaysin operationand these. in turn, place the device in operation. Inaccordance with the present invention the operation of the PTE(perforate tape-endlkey also causes the operation of this series ofstart relays, but-these are only for the. performance of certainintermediate functions and will release before the.

start key becomes effective. A feature of themvention, therefore, may bestated to be the use of a manual functional start key for operating aseries of start relays, means to render the start key ineffective untilanother given function has been discharged, and means to operate the.said series of start relays on the discharge of said other function.

The drawing consists of seven sheets having eight figures as follows:

Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, when arranged as indicated in Fig. 7, form acomplete circuit diagram illustrating the present invention and inwhich:

Fig. 1 shows the operating key and the relays having general control ofthe operation of the device;

Fig. 2 shows the reader relays the windings of which extend to anindicated reader;

Fig. 3 shows the means for connecting the various perforators to thecircuit leading from the reader relays;

Fig. 4 shows the start relays;

Fig. 5 shows the splice pattern relays for operating the reader relaysin accordance with given patterns in order to spread these particularpatterns over the leading ends of the tapes in various This placesthissequence chart is divided into three sections. A broken line has beendrawn vertically through the second section so that the sequence chartrepresents from the beginning to this broken line the spread of the skipsplice pattern 286034 while the rest of the sequence chart from thebroken line on to the end represents the spread of a plurality of thesplice pattern code 081010. It may be noted at this time that the SPArelay 500, when operated, causes the reader relays of Fig. 2 to operatein accordance with the code 286034. When speaking of this code in ageneral sense it is noted as 2860XX. The last two digits are differenton each machine and, therefore, serve as an index to identify theparticular machine on which any given tape was processed. Let us assumein the present case that the assembler under discussion is numbered 34.Therefore, the leads coming from armatures 1, 8, 9 and II! of the SPArelay 500 will be permanently cross-connected to cause the El relay 200,the E2 relay 20I, the F relay 202 and the F4 relay 203 to operate toexpress the digits 3 and 4 in the E and F denominational places.

It will be understood that when an assembler is to be started, theprecautionary circuit of the present invention is provided so that atleast one skip splice pattern 286034 and one splice pattern code 081010must be perforated on each of the ten output tapes before the work ofthe assembler can be commenced. In other words, it is necessary thateach of the output tapes have these codes perforated on its leading endbefore the operation of the start key will become effective. In thefollowing description it will, therefore, be noted that the sequence ofoperations consists first, of an operation of the MST (motor start) key;second, an operation of the PTE (perforate tape end) key; and third, andafter the release of the PTE key, the operation of the ST (start) key.It Will further be noted that the PTE key is a locking key and thatafter it has been operated the device will spread the skip splicepattern 286034 over the ten perforators, perforating this pattern oncein each of the output tapes, and will then repeatedly spread the splicepattern 081010 over each of the ten output tapes, continuing this actionuntil the PTE key is released. At the end of the cycle during which thePTE key is released, a relay known as the SPC (splice pattern complete)will be operated and this will close a circuit making it possible forthe start key ST to become effective when operated thereafter.

In the operation of the device the MST key I00 is first operated. Thiscloses a circuit from ground through the left-hand contacts of the MSTkey, armature I and back contact of the MRL relay IOI, the EMS key I02,the back contact and armature I of the AL relay I53 to the winding ofthe MST relay N14. The MST relay operates the RON (reader off-normal)relay I05 in a circuit from ground through armature 3 and front contactof the MST relay I04. When the circuit has thus gone off-normal thereader step magnet H2 is immediately operated in a circuit from ground,armature 2 and back contact of the RS4 relay 600, armature I and backcontact of the RS3 relay 50L conductor 002, the winding of the readerstep magnet I I 2, the front contact and armature 3 of the RON relay 05to battery. The RON relay is one which is fast to operate and slow torelease so that immediately the MST key I00 has been operated, thereader stepmagnet H2 is operated so as to prevent any movement of thetape.

The MST relay I00 also closes through its righthand contacts a circuitfor the operation of the RLM relay I06. A circuit is now closed fromground supplied by the MRL key I01, over the armature I and frontcontact of the RON relay I05 to the winding of the MON relay l08. Thisrelay looks through its front contact and armature 5, armature 4 andback contact of the MRL relay !0I to the ground supplied by the MRL keyH3? or alternatively the RL key )9. The MON relay supplies a number ofgrounds for various operations and will maintain these grounds untilrelease occurs. One circuit closed by the MON relay IE8 may be tracedthrough its armature I and front contact, the front contact and armature2 of the RON relay I05, the armature 4 and front contact of the MSTrelay I04 to the winding of the RDR relay H0. The RDR relay is slowoperating so that it delays slightly the operation of the reader stopmagnet III. It will thus be seen that upon the operation of the MST keyH30 the reader step magnet II2 operates first and slightly thereafterthe reader stop magnet 55 l operates. It may be noted at this time thatwhen the device is shut down, the RDR relay, being fast to release andthe RON relay being slow to release, the reader stop magnet HI willbecome deenergized first and will thus interpose a mechanical tonguebefore the motor operated by the reader step magnet I I2 so as toprevent an unauthorized advance of the reader tape. This feature isdisclosed in Patent No. 2,496,150 issued to W. W. Carpenter, on January31, 1950.

The MST relay I04 also closes a contact to enable the motor which drivesthe reader. This is not shown here since it is purely conventional inform.

The reader indicated herein by the rectangle 204 periodically closes anumber of contacts. There are twenty-eight pins which periodically moveup to the face of the tape and where a perforation exists thecorresponding pin will pass through the tape and make contact with acooperating member so as to operate one of the reader relays. Relaymeans such as the RCA relay IIB are provided for closing the connectionsbetween these cooperating members and the reader relays so that thereader relays will not be operated unless the relays represented by theRCA relay II6 are operated. Since the operations to be describedhereinafter do not originate with the reader contacts, the RCA relay isleft in its released position throughout the following operations. Itwill be noted particularly that the circuit for this relay extendsthrough the back contact and armature 2 of the ME relay 403, and sincethis relay will be found to be operated throughout the spreadingoperation the RCA relay will not operate. Hence, when the SPA relay 500and the SPB relay 502 are operated, the reader relays will be operatedfrom the contacts of the latter relays and not from the contacts of thereader.

In Fig. 8 the periods during which the reader contacts may be closed areshown in the second line and marked GI, G2, etc. There are also a numberof other contacts known as the H3, the H1, the K3 and the K7, and thesecontacts are closed in the open period of the reader contacts and soillustrated in the top line of said figure. The third line marked relayspreviously operated are such relays as the MST relay I04, the RLM relayI06, the RON relay I05, the MON agersgive relay I08 and the RDR; relay II as well as the reader step magnet I I2 and-thereader stop mag-- net-III. The circuit is now in condition for the operation of the PTE key II3.Saidkey, as indicated in' Fig. 8,- is directly responsible for theoperation of the SPI relay 400, and the circuit for thelatter relaymay-be traced-from ground, armature-2 andfront contact ofthe MON relayI08, back'contact and armature I of the ST3 relay 40I, armature I andback contact of the TIE relay I I4, contacts of the PTE key I I3,conductor IItothe winding-of the-SPI relay 400. The SPI relay operatesand causes theoperation' ofthe SP2 relay..402.in an.obvious.circuit.,.

The SP2 relay,.in turn, closesa circuit for the simultaneous operationofthe ME..relay 403 and the SPA relay 500. Thecircuit for. the.ME relayis'provided .throughthefrontcontact and armature..3. of the SP2 relayextendingtheground for. its own operationt'o the winding; oftthe MErelay 403. The operationofthe SP2 relay 402 extends a ground. fromitsarmature 5 and front contact, through armature I and. back contact ofthe W55 relay 50I. and thenceto the winding of the SPA relay. 500.

Followingthe operation of the SPA relay and as a direct consequencethereof, the following reader relays are operated:

BI-206. 02-208 D4-2I0 EI-200 F0-202 B1-201 04-209 D12II Ell-2M F4203 Therelays of the B, C, D, E and F digits are operated directly by the SPArelay 500. The A2 relay which in this case is used for control purposesonly is operated in the following manner. 2.-

First, a circuit is established from. ground, armature 2 and frontcontact of the MON relay. I00,

back contact-and armature I of theST3 relay. I, armature I and backcontact of the TIE. relay H4, contacts: of the PTE key, conductor II5 tooperate the SPI relay 400 as hereinbefore described. When the H1 contactis closed, a circuitis then extended over the conductor.2I2,

back contact andarmature I of. the RS4 relay 600, armature 2 and backcontactof the RS3 relay 00I, armature. 5 and back contact of the.

LKI relay 603,.conductor- B04, armature 4 and.

back contact ofthe AZLrelay 205, conductor 2I3, armature'3' and frontcontact of the SPI relay 400, conductor 404; front contact and. armatureII. of the SPA relay 500, conductor 503, armature I and-back contactofthe ST2 relay 405,.

conductor 406, armature I and .back' contactof. the RLS relay II1,armature 2 and. front contact of the RLMJ relay I00,- back: contact andarmature of the WSA relay II8, to the: winding.

of the STI relay 401. The STI relay,.therefore; operates at-thebeginning of the first closure of the H1 contact after the SPA relay.has operated.

Due to the operation of the STI relay 401, a circuit is now establishedfrom ground, armature 4 and front contact of the MON relay I08,

through the front: contact andarmature 4ofzthe grcundsupplied by'the H1contact'of the reader:- The second branch of this circuit extends fromthe winding of theST2relay-405, over conductor 406, armature I and backcontact oftheRLS relay II1, armature 2 and front contact of the RLM-relay I06, back contact and armature of the WSA relay II8,- through thewinding of the- STI relay'401to battery. Due to the first branch. ofthis circuit, the STZ relay- 405. is-short'-cir cuited at this time,.butwhen at the endofthe closure of the H1 contact this ground is removed,the ST2 relay 405 operates in series with the STI relay 401, thusmaintaining the latter'relay operated and bringing into operation-theST2relay 405. The 8T2. relay. now opens thefirst branch ofv this circuitsothatneither of these relays is hereafter. affected'by the H1Tcontactof the reader.

On the'next closure of the H1 contact a ch.- cuit is established fromthe. ground supplied by.

said contact, over the circuit heretoforetraced;

to the armature I of the ST2 relay, 405sothat this ground is newextended over the front contact of this relay to the winding of the ST3relay 40I, which becomes energized and locksv in a circuit through itsown front contact and armature. 4, the armature 3 and back contact ofthe RLS relay; I I1, the front contact and armature 2 of the ST2 relay495, the front contact and armature 3 of the MON relay I08. At the sametime, a connection. is established from ground, armature 5 and front.contact of the ST3 relay 40I to the winding of the ST3A relay 008 sothat this relay now operates. Now it will be noted that the continuedenergizetion of the STSA relay 408 depends upon thecontinuedenergization of the ST3 relay 40I and this, in turn, depends upon thecontinued energization of the ST2 relay 405 which, in turn, depends uponthe continued energization of the ST I relay 401 and this relay dependson the continued deenergization of the RLS relay II1. It will be notedhereinafter that when the PTE key is released. the SPI relay 40!) willbecome released, whereupon a circuit will be set up from theH1 contact,7

through a back contact and armature of theSPI relay to operate the RLSrelay H1 and this, in turn, will allow the start relays to release.

Upon the ending of the closure of the H1 contact and the beginning ofthe closure of the KI contact, a circuit is closed from the groundsupplied by this KI contact, over conductor 2I4, the armature and backcontact of the ESP relay 504, the front contact and armature I of the MErelay 403, the armature 3 and front contact of the ST3 relay ifil,armature I and back contact of the APB relay G05, conductor GGGto thewinding of the A2 relay 205. With the operation of the A2 relay, theup-check circuit of the reading relayswill be closed and the LKI relay603'will be 0D- erated. A circuit may be traced from the H5 contact inthe reader, over conductor 2 I5, the armature I and front contact of theRCD relay 601, conductor 008, front contact and armature 3 of the A2relay 205, back contact and armature 2 of the A! relay 2 I6 to thewinding'of the LKI relay 603. This relay now looks in a circuit fromconductor 600 through its armature 4 and front con-- tact, armature Iand back contact of the RS2 relay 609, back contact and armature 3 ofthe RSI relay 0 I 0, conductor 6| I, front contact and armature 'I ofthe ST3 relay 40I.

A circuit is also closed from the GI or G2 contact over conductor 2 I1,the armature 3 and back contact of the LK2 relay 6I2, conductor 6I3,the. armature I and back contact of the A0 relay 2I8,

the front contact and armature I of the A2 relay 205, the back contactand armature 3 of the AI relay 2I 6, the armature 3 and front contact ofthe BI relay 203, the armature 3 and front contact of the B1 relay 207,conductor 2H3, the armature 3 and front contact of the ME relay 003,conductor 409, armature I and back contact of the APD relay GM to thewinding of the APA relay 6I5, whereupon the latter relay responds. Thusthe A2 relay which operated upon the beginning of the closure of the KIcontact of the reader causes the operation of the LKI and the APA relayswithin that part of the reader cycle.

As a result of the operation of the APA relay 6I5, the SOB relay GIBwill be operated. A circuit for this relay may be traced from ground,

armature 3 and front contact of the LKI relay 603, thence through achain circuit including an armature and back contact of each of therelays S9B through SIB, and thence through the winding of the S03 relay6H3, the front contact and armature 2 of the APA relay 3 I 5, thencethrough a chain circuit including an armature and back contact of eachof the relays SIA to S9A, to the front contact and an armature I of theAPA relay 6I5 and thence to battery through an undesignated relay. TheSOB relay operates in this circuit and locks through its front contactand armature 2 to battery independent of the contacts of the APA relay6I5.

The A2 relay 205, having performed its function of causing the operationof the LKI relay 603 and the APA relay (H5, is allowed to release at theend of the period during which the contact K2 is closed. At the sametime the contact K7 is closed so that a circuit is established therefromover conductor 220, armature 3 and front contact of the APA relay GIS tothe windings of the APB relay 305 and the APO relay EI'I in parallel,and these relays become operated. As a result of the operation of theAPC relay a circuit is established from ground, armature I and frontcontact of the LKI relay 603, front contact and armature I of the S013relay N3, front contact and armature 2 of the APB relay 505, armature 2and front contact of the APC relay GIT, to the winding of the APD relay0H1 so that this relay now becomes operated and locks over its frontcontact and armature 3, the resistance 320, front contact and armature Iof the LKI relay $03 to ground.

As a result of the operation of the APD relay M0 the APA relay SI isreleased.

The AES relay I I9 is now operated from ground on contact KI, conductorZld, the back contact and armature of the ESP relay 560, the frontcontact and armature I of the ME relay 403, armature 3 and front contactof the ST3 relay 40! (the circuit for the operation of the A2 relay205), through the armature I and front contact of the APB relay 305 tothe winding of the AZS relay II 9. As a result of the operation of theA28 relay II9 a circuit is now established from ground on contact H2,armature 3 and front contact of the A2S relay I I9, back contact andarmature of the WM relay 5H5, thence through a chain circuit including aback contact and armature of each of the relays 89B through SIB to thearmature 3 and front contact of the S03 relay (H6, and thence to thewinding of the SI A relay 6 I8. The SI A relay looks from ground througharmature 3 and front contact of the LKI relay 603, thence through achain circuit including a back contact and armature of each of the-relays SSB through SIB, the resistance GIS to 10 armature 2 and frontcontact of the SIA relay 6I8.

As a result of the operation of the A28 relay the cut-in relays for thenumber 0 perforator of the assembler are now operated in a circuit fromthe contact GI or the contact G2, over conductor 2I'I, armature 3 andback contact of the LK2 relay 6| 2, conductor 6I3, armature I and backcontact of a the A0 relay 2| 8, conductor 22I, armature 2 and frontcontact of the A25 relay H0, conductor I20, back contact and armature Iof the WS3 relay 506, conductor 501, and thence through a chain circuitincluding an armature and back contact of each of the relays S9B throughSIB, armature 3 and front contact of the S03 relay BIB to the winding ofthe PAO relay 300 to battery, thus causing the operation of this relay.On the sequence chart this relay is noted as PA-, PB PC- indicating thatthe relays PAO, PBO and P00 are operated together since they have toclose a large plurality of circuits (twenty-eight for each of thetwenty-eight punch magnets and several other auxiliary circuits).

A circuit is now closed from the H5 contact, conductor 2I5, through thearmature 2 and front contact of the RCD relay 601, conductor 62L the No.2 right-hand armature and front contact of the PAO relay 300, thewinding of the PDEI relay 30I to battery so that this relay now becomesoperated for a purpose which will shortly appear.

The punch magnets such as the A0 magnet 302, the AI magnet 303, etc.,are now operated in accordance with the operation of the reader relaysin Fig. 2, that is, each of the magnets corresponding to the B, C, D, Eand F digits is operated directly through the contacts of the operatedB, C, D, E and F relays from the corresponding reader contacts when theyare closed. In the case of the A2 relay, however, a circuit is completedby the A2S relay instead of the A2 relay. This circuit may be tracedfrom the reader contact leading to the front contact and armature 2 ofthe A2 relay 205 but extending over conductor 222, armature I and frontcontact of the A2S relay H0, conductor I2I, the back contact andarmature 3 of the WS5 relay 50I, conductor 500 to the conductor leadingfrom armature 2 of the A2 relay 205 and extending through the groupconductor 225 through a relay KA2 (similar to the KAD relay 300), afront contact and armature of the PAD relay 300 to the A2 punch magnet(not shown) to battery. Thus,

" the punch magnets are operated in order to punch in the tape of thenumber 0 perforator the code 286034.

There is a relay such as the KAll relay 304 in series with the A0 punchmagnet 302 so that one of these K- relays is operated with each of thepunch magnets which is operated. These K- relays control a check circuitwhich is here indicated merely as a broken line 30'! passing by theserelays and then passing through a one and one only circuit controlledbythe PK0 to PK9 relays, thence through a one and one only circuit passingthrough the PDO to PD9 relays, through the armature 3 and front contactof the PAO relay 300, conductor 308, armature A and front contact of theAPC relay SI I, the front contact and armature 3 of the APD relay M4,the winding of the SS relay 623 to battery. This is a conventional checkcircuit to prove that the relays and magnets have operated in the properpattern. The check circuit 301, as it passes .through the armaturesandcontacts of .the K-- relays, will be closed through when and onlywhentwooutof five ofthe KB- relays are op- .erated, two out offiveof-theKC- relays are op- .erated,- etc. TherK-- relays are common-to the punchmagnets of the ten perforators andhence -may. 'be used toclose thischeck circuit rather .thanrunning the check circuit through thecontractsof the .PA-relaysto the punch magnets themselves.

.-As .another result oftheoperation of the PA relay 300acircuit-will beestablished from the J 4 0| contacts in the reader over conductor 223,the :armature 3 and front contact of the RCD "relay -.60'I, conductor622, the .right armature I and .frontcontact of thePAIirelay 300,through the winding of .thePKOrelay 305and the winding of .the .PAM(perforator advance) magnet' 306 to :battery sothat :aszthezcode'ispunched in the tape inf :the number 0 perforator, the'perforator'ad-.-

:avancamagnetPAMwill operate toallow-the tape therein-to advance inproper order. The :SS .relay.623-is now-operatedcver the circuit justdescribed to establish a circuit for the operation of stheSIB-relay-BZA. This relay operates upon the nextclosure of theKIcontact-in the reader.

I This circuit may be traced from the contacts 'Atthetime-that'theK'Icontacts close tocause f :the operation of the SIB relay 624, the reader"contacts and certain other common contacts .noted-rin the-second lineof the sequence chart .opened, causingthe simultaneous release .of the.A2Srelay. 30I,.-theK- 'relayssuch as the-KAU relay304andthe'punch'magnets. As a resultof the release of the .PAUrelay -300,.the PK0 relay and the perforator advance magnet-306 are prepared rforrelease. Actually they are heldin a locking circuit-indicated-bythe:locking contacts of the PKOrelay305, but for the presentpurposes-may be considered as being released at-this. time sincev.thisis theultimatenormal action.

AszaLresultof the operationoftheSIB relay 5;

.'-..624,-'.the SOB relay BIG. is released. .IheSSrelay 623 is heldlocked through its frontcontact .and zarmaturerii .to the-H3 contact.and hence. does not release-until this H3 contact opens.

L' .This completes thefirst. cycle of the spreading operation and leavesthe circuits in such a condi- I tion=that upon the .next closureof .thevvreader "contacts, the. A2S. relay II9 .will .operate .and as ares'ult..thereof willcause the other. relays depending .upon it. tooperate in themanner just 'described. Thesequence of operation,therefore, from. thesecond operation of the A28 relay .and fthelPAlrelayas shown inthesequencechart, "Fig1' 8, is broken off inthis showingsince. it vis'a repetitionof the operations just described. In

"this -manner the -codef286034 .will'be. punched sequentially ineachof.the .tapes of thenumber "llltonumber'il perforators, inclusive. Thediffer- ..encelirithe .end ofthelast cycle is .shown in the :nrsmarmfthe second. section of -the sequence 6 I9 "and thence through H9, thePAflrelay 300,.thePDO relay said relay releases.

and the ST3 relay MI.

the check circuit closed by the PDQ relay-309, in-

.stead of extending either .through the armature .I or the armature AoftheAPC relay tocause the operation of the SS relay will inthiscase, beextended over conductor 3|0, thence through armature .2 and back contactof the WS3 relay -506 to operate the RS3 relay GM and the *RSI relay-SIBin paral el.

Upon the next closure of the H1 contact, a circuit is closed from theground suppliedthereby over conductor-2I2, armature 2.and the frontcontact of .the RSI relay 6I0, conductor 625, front contact andarmatureI of the SP2 relay "402, armature 6 and front contact .of the SH relay400to the winding of the W85 relay I.

As aresultof the operation of the WS5 relay the SPA. relay 500.isreleased and the SP3 relay 502 :is'operated insubstitution thereforso that .now the reading relays of Fig. 2 arechanged in their pattern ofoperation from the skip splice code .286034 to the regular splicepattern 081010.

Thereafter andat the beginning of the-next closure of the KI contact theA2 relay 205 will be operated as hereinbefore described and will startthe next spreading operation. This will proceed in the manner describedwith the exception that now since the SPB relay is operated instead ofthe SPA relay, the splice pattern code 081010 will be successively andrepeatedly perforated in each of the tapes of the number 0 to number 9perforators, inclusive. This operation will'automatically continue solong'as the PTE key II3 remains in its operated position.

When the PTE key is restored, the circuit for the SPI relay overconductor H5 is opened and The SP2'relay 402, however, remains lookedunder control of the STI relay The fact that the SPI relay releases andthe SP2 relay remains operated closes a circuit fromground, armature 5and back contact of the SPI relay 400, the front contact and armature 2of the SP2 relay 402 to the winding of the SPC relay 509 which thereuponoperates and locks over its armature 2 and front contact, the frontcontact and armature 6 of the MON relay I08. The operation of the SPCrelay conditions the start key I25 so that after the spreadingoperationhas been completed the start key I25 may become effective. This will bedescribed shortly.

After the release of the PTE key and at the completion of .the spreadingoperation taking aplaceat that time, the RSI relay BIO will be'operatedas 'hereinbefore described through .the

.operation of thePDB relay 309. Therefore, at

-the next closure of the H1 contact aground will be'extended overconductor 2I2, armature 2 and front contactof. the .RSI relay 6I0,conductor'025; the front contact and armature I of the SP2 relay 402,armature 6 and back contact of theSPI relay 400, armature I and'backcontact of the RT relay I22 to the winding of the I RLS relay Ill. TheRLS relay II'I, atits armaleasesthe ME'relay403, the RCD relay 601 andthe SP2-relay 402. The SP2 relay, in releasing, releases the WS5 relaySM and the SPB relay -502 /so that the circuit for spreading the splicepattern'is now completely restored. At the end of the HT contact closurethe RLS relay II1 releases and. the circuit is entirelyrestoredexcept 13that the SPC relay 509 and the RLM relay I06 are still locked.

Thereafter when the ST key I25 is closed, a circuit is traced, upon thenext closure of the H1 contact after the RLS relay has been released,over conductor 2I2, back contact and armature I of the RS4 relay 600,armature 2 and back contact of the RS3 relay Gill, armature and backcontact of the LKI relay 603, conductor 604, armature 4 and back contactof the A2 relay 205, conductor 2I3, back contact of the W528 relay I23,conductor I26, armature I and front contact of the SPC relay 509,conductor 5I0, the ST key I25, conductor 563, armature I and backcontact of the S'IZ relay 405, conductor 406, armature I and backcontact of the RLS relay II'I, armature 2 and front contact of the RLMrelay I 06, back contact of the WSA relay H8 and thence through thewinding of the ST I relay 401 to battery. The start relay is, therefore,energized by the start key I25 so that from now on the assembler mayfunction through its regular operations. It may be noted that while theSTI 8T2 and ST3 relays were automatically operated by the PTE key duringthe spreading operations for perforating in each of the ten output tapesthe skip splice pattern 286034 and thereafter a plurality of splicepattern codes 081010, these relays were nevertheless released andrestored to normal through the release of the PT]?! key. It may furtherbe noted that the last circuit traced for the operation of the STI relaydepends entirely on the closure of the circuit through the armature Iand front contact of the SPC relay 509 so that an operator of theassembler cannot neglect to prepare the leading ends of the ten outputtapes by operating the start key since the start key is totallyineffective until after the operations herein described have beenperformed.

It may be noted that in other cases the skip splice pattern 286034 isnot used in the manner hereinabove described. In such cases exactly thesame sort of operations as above described will take place except thatafter the operation of the PTE key and its release, a minimum of twosplice pattern codes 081010 will be spread on the tapes being preparedby the perforators. It will be apparent that this involves no otherchange than to operate the SPB relay 502 in the first instance ratherthan the SPA relay 500.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for processing coded items of information, perforated inan incoming tape by sorting, translating, computing or otherwiserearranging said coded items of information, on a plurality of outgoingtapes, a plurality of perforators for producing a like number ofoutgoing tapes, a start key for starting said device into functionaloperation, a splice pattern complete relay for rendering said start keyeffective, a set of start relays responsive to said start key whenrendered effective by said relay, a perforated tape-end key foroperating said start relays, means controlled by said key when operatedfor determining the code to be perforated on said outgoing tapes by saidperforators, a sequence chain of relays equal in number andcorresponding to said perforators, means controlled by said key forsequentially connecting each said perforator to said code determiningmeans, means controlled by said relay chain upon the operation of thefirst relay thereof for removing the control of said key therefrom andupon the operation of the last relay thereof for restoring the controlof said key thereover, whereby the sequential operation of said chainrelays and the sequential perforation of a single determined code ineach said outgoing tape is automatically completed once regardless ofthe condition of said key, means responsive to the restoration of saidkey at the end of an automatic operation of said chain relays which isless than the total number of holes to be punched for operating saidrela whereby the operation of said start key will be effectivethereafter to control the operation of the device in producing otherperforations on said output tapes.

2. A device for processing coded items of information, perforated in anincoming tape by sorting, translating, computing or otherwiserearranging said items, on a plurality of outgoing tapes, comprising areader for reading said items from said incoming tape, a plurality ofperforators for perforating in each said outgoing tape coded items ofinformation derived from the items read from said incoming tape, meansfor spreading by sequential operation of said plurality of perforators afirst code on each said outgoing tape, said spreading means includingother means for spreading a second code immediately following said firstcode, the perforations constituting said second code being utilized tophysically splice said outgoing tapes to form a continuous tape for useas an incoming tape in the same or other processing device, a normallyineifective start key, a start relay means for preparing certaincircuits of said device, a tapeend preparation key operative to completethe circuit of said start relay means, means under the control of saidoperated tape-end preparation key for operating said spreading means andeach one of said plurality of perforators in succession to spread saidfirst code and thereafter to spread said second code repeatedly so longas said tapeend preparation key remains operated, and means responsiveto the completion of all used spreading cycles taken in any selectivecombination, including one cycle and the total of cycles and therestoration of said tape-end preparation key for rendering said startrelay means responsive to said start key.

S IMEON L. EPPEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

